About Us

Gail Hanevold, is a veteran teacher of 20+ years. She teaches students with Developmental Cognitive Disabilities of transitional ages (18-21 years old) in Minneapolis, MN. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary and Special Education, a Masters Degree in the area of Emotional Behavioral Disorders, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Elementary and Secondary Administration.

While on a sabbatical, Gail researched a behavior intervention she created. The results of this research project landed her in an unanticipated position of entrepreneur. Being motivated  by her family and colleagues, Gail took on the task of obtaining  a patent  (pending status ) on the visual cuing device she created, known as the Wrist-O-Pic.  ( It should be noted that her sister, Sharon; a Speech Language Pathologist,  won three quarts of Gail's home made salsa during a family launched contest, when she submitted the winning name for this wristband; the Wrist-O-Pic,). Using this device, visual  picture cues are paired with metaphorical cues, to transform student behavior. With the help of her supportive husband, Tom, she started a business and became CEO of Creative Behavior Interventions, LLC. They are proud to share that they only hire young adults with disabilities to assemble and package the Wrist-O-Pic.

This endeavor has opened up a host of new opportunities for professional growth such as online teaching of teachers, and professional development presentations on local, state, and national levels. In addition to self publishing the behavior intervention tutorial; Using Metaphors to Modify Behavior, A No-Nag Intervention, Gail has also written (and facilitates)  the on-line course:  RTI: Using Metaphors to Change Behavior, which is available  to teachers through The Professional Learning Board.  Some of the professional conferences Gail has exhibited, and/or presented at include: Closing the Gap, Teacher Educators for Children with Behavior Disorders Conference in Mesa AZ, The  International Behavior Institute Conference, the Behavioral Institute for Children and Adolescents Conference, MN State Autism Conference, MN Catholic Home Educators Conference,  the MN State Paraprofessional Conference, ND Assistive Technology Expo 2008,  Education Minnesota Teacher Conference, and  the SW/WC State EBD Conference.  

Gail is a wife, a proud mother of three grown children, and has four grandchildren.She enjoys the challenge of staying connected with her  children, grandchildren, her six sisters, two brothers , and her dad, Harold, a proud WW II Vet!  She also enjoys writing, doing supportive behavioral research, assisting others in developing their new ideas, obtaining constructive feedback from local writers groups, networking with conference attendees and promoting the Wrist-O-Pic  and No-Nag Behavior Intervention Techniques, through conference presentations and exhibits, as well as building an e-commerce  presence through this web site.www.wrist-o-pic.com. She is thankful to have a husband who volunteers his time by contributing to all aspects involved in running a business, and supports her every inch of the way!

You may contact Gail at service@wrist-o-pic.com. Thank you for your interest in using metaphors to change behavior, and the Wrist-O-Pic!